How to Know You're Paying Too Much for Auto Insurance in Holbrook

Nobody likes having to buy auto insurance, in particular when the cost is way too high.

With consumers having so many online and local companies to choose from, it can be hard to find the right car insurance company.

It's important to do rate comparisons occasionally because prices are constantly changing. Just because you had the best price a few years ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. Forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because you're about to learn the proper way to eliminate unnecessary coverages and save money.

Choosing the best insurance company for you in Holbrook is easy if you know what you're doing. If you have car insurance now, you should be able to lower your premiums substantially using these techniques. But New York drivers do need to know how companies sell insurance online and apply this information to your search.

Why some people pay less for insurance in Holbrook

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that go into determining the price you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get lower auto insurance prices.

Listed below are a few of the "ingredients" companies use to determine your rates.

Careful drivers pay lower rates - Even a single moving violation can increase rates forty percent or more. Good drivers get better rates than bad drivers. Drivers who get serious violations like DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may be required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state DMV in order to continue driving.
Your credit rating is important - Your credit score is a big factor in determining your rates. Therefore, if your credit history is lower than you'd like, you could save money insuring your by improving your rating. Drivers with good credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records as compared to drivers with poor credit.
Discounts for multiple policies - Most auto insurance companies give discounts to customers who buy several policies from them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even though this discount sounds good, it's still a good idea to comparison shop to make sure you are getting the best deal.
Higher safety ratings means cheaper insurance - Cars with high safety ratings tend to have better insurance rates. Safer cars result in less severe injuries and lower injury rates means less money paid by your insurance company passed on to you as lower rates.

Holbrook Auto Insurance Quote Comparison

There are multiple methods to shop for auto insurance, but one way is more efficient than others. You can spend your afternoon talking to insurance companies in Holbrook, or you could use online quoting to get the quickest rates.

Most of the larger companies take part in a program that enables customers to enter their coverage request one time, and at least one company can provide price quotes for coverage. This system prevents you from having to do quote forms to each individual auto insurance company. To submit your quote information now, click here to open in new window.

One minor caviat to using this type of system is you cannot specify which providers you will receive quotes from. If you would rather choose specific providers to compare rates, we have a page of companies who write auto insurance in New York. Click here for list of insurance companies in New York.

It's up to you how you get prices quotes, just make absolute certain that you use apples-to-apples coverages and limits on every quote. If you use different deductibles then you won't be able to make a fair comparison in Holbrook. Having just a slight variation in insurance coverages can mean a large discrepancy in price. And when quoting auto insurance, remember that more quotes provides better odds of finding a lower rate.

Don't pay full price with these discounts

Companies offering auto insurance don't list every available discount very well, so we took the time to find both well-publicized and also the lesser-known ways to save on auto insurance.

Early Signing - Some companies give discounts for switching policies prior to your current policy expiration. This can save 10% or more.
Braking Control Discount - Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control are safer to drive and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Anti-theft Discount - Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems are stolen less frequently and earn discounts up to 10%.
Low Mileage - Driving fewer miles can earn better rates on cars that stay parked.
Homeowners Savings - Being a homeowner may earn you a small savings because owning a home is proof that your finances are in order.
Passive Restraints - Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts can receive discounts of more than 20%.
Driver's Ed - Cut your cost by having your teen driver take driver's ed class in school.
E-sign - Certain companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying a policy and signing up online.
Organization Discounts - Participating in a professional or civic organization could trigger savings on your policy.

Consumers should know that most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. Just because it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies don't profit that way.

To choose providers offering auto insurance discounts in New York, click this link.

The auto insurance bait and switch

Companies like State Farm and Allstate constantly bombard you with ads in print and on television. All the ads make the same claim that you'll save big if you switch to them. But how can every company make almost identical claims? It's all in the numbers.

All companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of driver that makes them money. For example, a preferred risk could possibly be between 25 and 40, owns a home, and has a short commute. A customer getting a price quote who matches those parameters is entitled to the best price and therefore will save a lot of money.

Consumers who don't measure up to this ideal profile will be charged higher rates which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state "customers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save money. That is how companies can make the claims of big savings. That is why you need to get a wide range of price quotes. It's impossible to know which company will fit your personal profile best.

Your personal situation dictates your coverage

When buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no cookie cutter policy. Every situation is different so this has to be addressed. Here are some questions about coverages that might point out whether or not you would benefit from an agent's advice.

Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
When do I need to add a new car to my policy?

If it's difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area.

More detailed New York auto insurance information can be found at the New York Department of Financial Services website. New York consumers can file complaints about a company, find out industry alerts, read consumer alerts, and find disaster information.

Other informative sites include III.org's auto insurance page and this directory of insurance agents in Holbrook New York.

Do the work, save more money

You just read some good ideas how to compare auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more you quote, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even discover the most savings is with some of the smallest insurance companies. These smaller insurers may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates as compared to the big name companies such as .

As you shop your coverage around, do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many cases where an insured cut physical damage coverage only to discover later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your goal should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

Discount auto insurance is available online and with local Holbrook insurance agents, so you should compare both to get a complete price analysis. Some insurance providers do not offer online price quotes and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.